According to the indictment, filed by the U.S. Attorney in the Southern District, the straw donations were made in or around August of 2012. The indictment alleges that D'Souza directed others to contribute to Long's campaign, then reimbursed those donors for their costs.

A press release said the contributions were uncovered as part of a "routine review" of fund-raising documents.

Long had previously served as counsel to the Judicial Crisis Network, which supported George W. Bush's court nominees, and later opposed those of President Obama.

D'Souza directed "2016: Obama's America," an incendiary documentary, made in 2012, that predicted a foreboding future if President Obama was re-elected.

D'Souza's attorney, Benjamin Brafman, told The Hollywood Reporter that D'Souza "did not act with any corrupt or criminal intent whatsoever ... at worst this was an act of misguided friendship by D'Souza."

A former spokesman for Long's campaign did not immediately return an email for comment.

D'Souza is expected to be arraigned tomorrow in federal court in Manhattan.